La Liga heavyweights Barcelona are reportedly interested in Fabian Ruiz, who has not featured prominently at PSG this season.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Fabian Ruiz is the subject of interest from FC Barcelona. The Blaugrana will compete with Atletico Madrid and Real Betis for the Spanish midfielder, who has endured a frustrating stint with Paris Saint-Germain.
Fabian Ruiz became one of the most highly sought-after midfielders in the world during his stint with Napoli. The Spaniard, who rose to prominence at Real Betis, went from strength to strength at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. But his fruitful four-year spell with Napoli ended in the summer when he joined Paris Saint-Germain.
A few other clubs chased the 26-year-old, who was keen on joining PSG. But the move has not worked out as envisioned, as Ruiz has not featured prominently for Les Parisiens. The Spanish international has started only ten games thus far, with Vitinha and Marco Verratti ahead of him in the pecking order. And the frustrating situation has captured the attention of Barcelona.
Barcelona showed interest in Ruiz in the summer transfer window. But they had lost the financial bandwidth to sign him and could not pursue him with vigour. However, the interest has not waned, especially with Franck Kessie facing an uncertain future at Spotify Camp Nou.
While Ruiz will not be a like-for-like replacement for Kessie, Frenkie de Jong can play at the base of the midfield. So Ruiz can potentially compete with Pedri and Gavi for the two no. 8 berths in the Barcelona midfield unit. So the interest in the 26-year-old makes a world of sense.
But Barcelona will face stiff competition from Atletico Madrid and Real Betis if Ruiz decides to leave PSG. So the Catalan giants should keep their options open. And they have shown interest in several creative midfielders, including Oscar Gloukh.
As for the pursuit of Ruiz, it will be interesting to see if Barcelona can beat the competition to sign the Spaniard. For now, the former Napoli midfielder faces an uncertain future at PSG. And with Les Parisiens in the market for a midfielder amid links with Fred, Ruiz’s days at the club are numbered.